H.S. WRESTLING: Canton's Marinilli takes on all challengers

The Bulldogs' standout, who wowed everyone last winter as a 126-pound freshman, is aiming for a 138-pound crown at this weekend's Div. 2 state tournament at Milton High.

By Jay N. Miller For The Patriot Ledger

CANTON -- Jumping up a couple of weight classes and moving up a division. For Canton High sophomore wrestling star Eddie Marinilli, it's no big deal.

Last winter, as a freshman, Marinilli was the Hockomock League champ at 126 pounds, and runner-up at both the Division 3 Central Sectional and Div. 3 states, before finishing fourth overall at All-States. He compiled an overall record of 41-6 last winter, but the 5-8 grappler was far from satisfied.

Growing and maturing, Marinilli came in this year ready to tear it up in the 138-pound class. So far, so good as he just annexed the Div. 2 Central Sectional championship last weekend, and is seeded second in his weight class for the Div. 2 state tournament that will run Friday-Saturday at Milton High.

"Jumping up two weight classes this year, what stands out to me is Eddie's mindset," Canton coach Brian Caffelle said before Wednesday's practice. "During the preseason you will typically see a lot of guys studying the rosters to see who's going where, who's going to be in which weight class. Then, they'll go for the weight class that will most benefit them. But Eddie, for the second year in a row here, has absolutely no concern and no cares about who might be in his weight class. He figures this is where I'm comfortable weight-wise right now, and he doesn't care who might be in his way. That speaks to his competitive nature."

Marinilli, who is so dedicated to his sport that he squeezes in daily workouts at The Dungeon wrestling club in Hanover before going to his regular Canton team practice, shrugs off the differences in going up to the higher weight.

"The kids are stronger at this weight, but they're also slower," Marinilli noted. "At 126 I was quicker than anyone, but up here I use more strength. But it is a lot easier to find kids to work out with at the higher weight. I think the biggest improvement I've made this year is just in my overall strength. Last year, when I lost in the all-New Englands, it was just off of strength, and the other kids being a little stronger. This year I think my strength is a lot better, and I am absolutely comfortable at this weight. I don't really cut weight or anything, and I can just eat normal."

Marinilli came to the sport through his father, who was also a Canton High grappler. Obviously, navigating from Canton to Hanover on a daily basis requires some serious family commitment. Before seeking out The Dungeon for its topnotch competition, Marinilli had commuted to a Taunton gym to hone his skills.

"It's tough and it does take some time-management, but I know I've got to get it done," said Marinilli of his arduous routine. "At the end of the season I will take a week or two off, but basically, I'm always wrestling. My dad likes to keep me busy. But, yes, the whole family is involved, and committed to this."

Aside from their star, the Bulldogs have had a good season as a team, and going into states, they will have several wrestlers in the mix, having qualified with top-four finishes at the sectional. Jack Turano (106 pounds), Mark Carstairs (113), Harry Carter (120), Justin Dickie (126), Cole Murphy (170), and Nick Matt (heavyweight) all will be looking to advance to All-States this weekend.

"We did a real good job as a team this season," said Caffelle. "The big difference from last year is that back then I'm not sure our kids were ready for sectionals -- we had a lot of 'deer-in-the-headlights' looks. We took a different approach with this year's schedule, finding tougher competition and giving up some regular-season wins for a better post-season performance. I think it paid off, and last week in sectionals, every guy in our lineup got at least one win."

Having a standout like Marinilli can be a bonus or a problem; for every teammate he inspires, there may be others he just intimidates.

"Usually, having someone of the caliber of Ed can be a double-edged sword," Caffelle said. "The downside is that your team can come to depend on that guy potentially carrying you. But that isn't the case here because of the way Ed motivates the other guys to do their best, too. Whenever he's got any downtime, he grabs the younger kids and starts helping them out. It's the kind of attitude you expect from your captain or your seniors, but we even saw it from Ed last year. He has a really big and positive impact on the whole team."

Marinilli doesn't spend much time devising tactics. He's loved the two-legged takedown since he started, and he's honed that move to near-perfection. He doesn't worry about scouting reports or what opponents may or may not do.

"I do what I do," Marinilli said. "I've seen the top-seeded kid in my division (Josh Lee from Burlington). He beat me earlier this year, on points, and I didn't have a good match. Having wrestled someone before makes it a little easier, to see what he can do, but I just follow my own game plan."

"Ed's style is simply attacking," said Caffelle. "When you do it like he does, it doesn't matter if everyone is used to seeing him use that move. He can still hit that double-leg takedown better than they can defend it. And, he's always looking to improve everything he does, so tactically, his approach is pretty simple and direct."

"What I love about Ed is that last year, in one of his All-State matches, he had a one-point lead late in the match," added Caffelle. "Most people might get cautious and try to preserve that lead, but Ed was still going for takedowns. Many guys would not want to take a chance on shooting and missing, especially among the elite wrestlers in the state. But Ed doesn't hesitate. It doesn't matter if you're expecting and trying to defend the move he's making, he's still going for it."

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Marinilli and his Canton teammates will have plenty of local company at Milton this weekend as the Div. 2 tournament features 40 Ledgerlanders, including 12 from Plymouth South. There are seven local wrestlers coming off sectional crowns -- Pembroke's Ryan Parmenter (113), Hingham's Kayla Bogle (126), Marinilli, Milton's Liam Kelly (145), Duxbury's Aidan Quilty (152), Hingham's Jordan James (170), and Pembroke's Kyle Watts (182).